SALT LAKE CITY - A spokesman for a Utah bus company has identified the driver killed in a crash Monday as the father of Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata.

Asiata's agent Ken Vierra confirmed the connection Tuesday afternoon.

The Utah Highway Patrol says 53-year-old father Pita Asiata of Bountiful was impaled by a drilling device when his bus crashed into a utility truck on Interstate 80 near the Utah-Nevada border.

Officials say three of the 50 bus passengers were critically injured in the crash, which is under investigation.

Matt Asiata is a 26-year-old from West Valley City who played football for the University of Utah before joining the NFL.

The Vikings issued a statement Tuesday afternoon: "We are aware of the tragic incident involving Matt's father, Pita Asiata," the release said. "This is heartbreaking news for Matt and his family. We are here to support the Asiata family in any way possible. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Asiata family."